IPS Screen possible in W520?

[theterminator93]

Well, a little update for those interested.

I decided to try and find a more permanent mounting solution for the LG panel (one that didn't involve tape) and was able to epoxy a couple of brass screw standoffs to the top of the LCD cover, so now I have a good, solid place to screw the screen in at the top to. I'm putting the finishing touches on a couple metal "tabs" or brackets that will go between the screw and hinge at the bottom which should secure the lower part of the screen in place. Space is really tight along the bottom, so we'll see if that pans out how I want it to. Otherwise I've got a couple other ideas.

The real problem I've run into now is one of my own making. As I was fitting the panel to figure out how to create good mount points, I must have put too much pressure on a corner at some point which cracked the screen. Great, I think... now I need another screen. So I hit up feebay and find one with the part number I'm interested in (LP156WF4 SLB5) and order it, but it shows up as an SLC1 variant which is glossy. No can-do, so I sent it back and kept an eye out for -SLB5... then I just sent a message to the guy I bought the first one from and asked if he had more, which he did. So I bought two - knowing that they're hard to find in any condition, much less new.

I prepared another one to go in... which didn't show anything on the display after I installed it. I took it out to find the LCD extension cable was coming apart at the connector due to all the connecting/removing it had been subjected to... and its moving around on me blew two of the LCD fuses on the motherboard. So now I'm waiting to get a couple replacement LCD extension cables and some replacement fuses, then MAYBE I can put the final finishing touches on this "little" project.

Once I do, I'll set up the spare LCD assembly I have as a direct "bolt on" replacement in case someone out there wants an IPS FHD T520 or W520 without all the hassle.

[hhhd1]

Thanks for posting the update.

Good idea about using the 'brass screw standoff'.

if only I had some extra money atm,..
anyway, if I would, i would have to try to get it prebuilt like you suggest, since buying all the items separately with international shipping would cost me allot.

[jcvjcvjcvjcv]

What are you going to ask for that "bolt-on" lid?

[theterminator93]

I was thinking around of $200 USD plus whatever shipping ends up costing - assuming everything pans out well and the finished result would pass as "factory looking" from an outsider's perspective.

It would include a new LG LP156WF4 (SL)(B5) FHD IPS panel - matte, LED, 400:1 CR, 300 nits. The original TN FHD AUO was 270 nits/400:1 CR - the IPS panel is also a few ounces lighter than the AUO panel. All would be set up, installed/tested in the T520 lid I have with all cables etc. - honestly "ready to go".

On that note - I'd do the install on a provided lid for $150 plus whatever shipping costs end up being. $115 if you have a working FHD AUO panel already installed that you'd like me to "buy" off you. If anyone has an interest in that, I'd need to contact my LCD supplier first to ensure new screens are still available. Last time I checked in he only had about 10 left.

[theterminator93]

Well, finally finished (for now) my project.

I think I mentioned already, but in trying to find the permanent, secured mounting method for the screen late last year I ended up cracking the first screen. Then after some time locating more new screens, I bought two with the intent to assemble a lid to sell... however I managed to break one of those LCDs too in the same way I busted the first one.

All throughout, I had several of the LCD extension cables come apart on me, each time blowing LCD fuses on the system board. So I ended up trying to route the factory LCD cable under the left hinge mount, which - fortunately - worked. There was plenty of length available to route it that way so I could ditch the need for flimsy extension cables.

The only minor issue I've got is that the bottom left of the LCD case bulges slightly - and with the missing screw in the middle it will pop open along the bottom left 4-5 inches inside the hinge mount about 1-2mm. Not a super big deal to me but I still need to figure out if there's a permanent fix that doesn't involve glue.

This close to the end though, I've been quite pleased with this screen. Brighter than the factory FHD TN panel, colors are much nicer to the eyes without calibration and, of course, viewing angles. Would I say it was worth it? Well, the cost of three screens and four months of trial-and-error, but some things just have to be earned, I guess. FHD IPS W520, I like the sound of that.

I'll edit the post with picture links in a little bit.

[Carthik]

Looking forward to those pictures! Please be detailed with the minor issues. I'm still looking to put this together as my next ThinkPad. Not going to bother waiting for the ThinkPad retro or whatever they're calling it.

[theterminator93]

Here are those pictures I promised, if a little late...

Screen brightness is good. This is 10/15 in a fairly well lit room.
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 181040.jpg
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 181142.jpg

A few shots of the LCD at extreme angles.
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 181246.jpg
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 181327.jpg
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 181129.jpg

Here are some shots of how I mounted the LCD. I bent the tabs at the bottom (rather than cutting them) and made up little brackets to go between the screw and hinge frames to keep it in place at the bottom. At the top I epoxied some spare standoffs in to be able to screw the panel in place. There are shims behind the LCD in various places to prevent it from flexing too much if someone ever happened to press up against it. There are also a couple shims on the left side to help keep the screen pushed to the right.
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 165605.jpg
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 165613.jpg
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 200902.jpg
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 200908.jpg
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 193535.jpg
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 193527.jpg

To get the standoffs in place I initially put the LCD in the top cover and scored the WWAN antennas so I could cut out and scuffed a small area to give the epoxy a solid surface to adhere to. Then I used some petroleum jelly on the back of the LCD to lubricate it where I thought the epoxy would touch to keep it from sticking - then I lubricated the screw and screwed the standoff to the LCD. Then I mixed the epoxy and let it sit until it was rather tacky, then applied it around the standoffs and put the screen in the LCD cover to let it cure. Once it cured overnight I removed the LCD and added a little more epoxy around the standoffs for a bit more strength.

This shows how much "stuff" there is along the bottom... I took this pic before I decided to re-route the LCD cable out the left and ditch the extension cable though.
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 200916.jpg

As you can see from the back, the screen plastics have a hard time staying snapped shut without that third screw. This is especially because the point of maximum thickness is where the LCD connector is; the cable has to be folded over itself plus that all lies right over the top of the left microphone. I could grind down the rubber around the microphone to reduce this effect somewhat, or possibly try to do some fancy routing with the LCD cable. I could also try to grind down the area over the lenses for the LEDs on the front bezel - but it doesn't bother me enough right now to go out and do it. If I ever do I'll take a couple more pics and an update.
http://wannerweb.ddns.net/Public/Photos ... 181358.jpg